Plan Your Major
Physics major
The Physics major is at a minimum comprised of nine 4-credit courses:
- PHYS 226, Principles of Physics I (includes a lab)
- PHYS 227, Principles of Physics II (includes a lab)
- PHYS 331, Modern Physics (includes a lab)
- PHYS 348, Lab Instrumentation (includes a lab)
- PHYS 370, Computational Physics (includes a lab)
- PHYS 443, Electromagnetic Theory I (includes a lab)
- PHYS 461, Mechanics (includes a lab)
- PHYS 468, Statistical Mechanics
- PHYS 481, Quantum Mechanics, (includes a lab)
Three terms of a 1-credit course (including Spring of Senior Year):
- PHYS 489, Physics Seminar.
In addition, the following mathematics courses are pre-requisites for core curriculum physics courses:
- MATH 135, Applied Multivariable Calculus I
- MATH 137, Applied Multivariable Calculus II
- MATH 236, Linear Algebra
- MATH 237, Applied Multivariable Calculus III
Physics majors are also required to engage in an original research project which will meet Macalester’s Capstone requirement. A Capstone in physics consists of a talk presented during physics seminar spring of senior year, and a written paper.
Many physics courses require prerequisites or co-requisites. Please consult the course dependency charts for the major and the major with an astronomy emphasis. Sample schedules are also available for students considering the physics major.
Physics with Astronomy emphasis major
The Physics with Astronomy emphasis major is at a minimum comprised of nine 4-credit courses:
- PHYS 226, Principles of Physics I (includes a lab)
- PHYS 227, Principles of Physics II (includes a lab)
- PHYS 331, Modern Physics (includes a lab)
- PHYS 370, Computational Physics (includes a lab)
- PHYS 440, Observational Astronomy (includes a lab)
- PHYS 443, Electromagnetic Theory I (includes a lab)
- PHYS 460, Astrophysics
- PHYS 461, Mechanics (includes a lab)
- PHYS 468, Statistical Mechanics
Three terms of a 1-credit course (including Spring of Senior Year):
- PHYS 489, Physics Seminar.
In addition, the following mathematics courses are pre-requisites for core curriculum physics courses:
- MATH 135, Applied Multivariable Calculus I
- MATH 137, Applied Multivariable Calculus II
- MATH 236, Linear Algebra
- MATH 237, Applied Multivariable Calculus III
Physics with Astronomy emphasis majors are also required to engage in an original research project which will meet Macalester’s Capstone requirement. A Capstone in physics consists of a talk presented during physics seminar spring of senior year, and a written paper.
Many physics courses require prerequisites or co-requisites. Please consult the course dependency charts for the major and the major with an astronomy emphasis. Sample schedules are also available for students considering the physics major.
It is strongly recommended that Astronomy emphasis students take PHYS 481 (Quantum Mechanics)
Physics Minor
The department also offers a minor consisting of 5 courses:
- PHYS 226, (Principles of Physics I) *
- PHYS 227, (Principles of Physics II) *
- PHYS 331, (Modern Physics)
- Any two physics and astronomy courses numbered above 331.
* Note that MATH 135, (Applied Multivariable Calculus I), and MATH 137, (Applied Multivariable Calculus II) are pre/co-requisites for PHYS 226/227.